FDA Approves Skull Implants To Help Treat Epilepsy

According to studies, it has been found that epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the US, but the good news to those who suffer from it, or know someone who suffers from it, is that the FDA has recently approved a skull implant that should help reduce the frequency of the seizures. This has been a long time coming, especially since the research began nearly a decade ago by NeuroPace, the company responsible for the manufacturing of the implant itself.

Seizures occur when groups of neurons fire off abnormally, but thanks to the implant, also known as the RNS Stimulator, it will be able to detect when these electrical signals are happening in the brain, and will be able to fire off impulses of its own which will help to regular brain activity. According to their research, this was tested with 256 patients to find out the implant’s benefits. Those with the implant enabled actually found a reduction of 37.9% in their seizures, and this reduced frequency was maintained even after two years later.

The RNS Stimulator was unanimously recommended by a panel of experts selected by the FDA and will see its implementation come February 2014.